Russia will not force Serbia over Kosovo-Lavrov

MOSCOW, Feb 22 (Reuters) Russia will not be part of any effort to force Serbia to recognise the independence of the breakaway province of Kosovo, Russian news agencies quoted Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as saying today.

''Only the two sides (Serbs and Kosovars) can make a decision on Kosovo and no one can impose a decision on them,'' it quoted Lavrov as saying in Berlin, where he has taken part in big power talks on the West Asia.

''At least Russia will not be part of any such scheme.'' Russia opposed the NATO bombings of Serbia in 1999, which were launched to stop ethnic cleansing by Serbian forces in Kosovo.

A longtime ally of Serbia, Moscow is now resisting a plan by UN envoy Martti Ahtisaari to to grant effective independence to the province, perhaps by September, despite Belgrade's objections.

Russia has a decisive say on the issue in the UN Security Council where it holds a veto.

''I certainly respect Martti Ahtisaari,'' Lavrov said according to Interfax news agency. ''But it is not up to him to decide if the time is right to make a decision.'' ''We back Ahtisaari's activities in preparing proposals on Kosovo to be presented to both sides,'' he added. ''That is what we have subscribed to, nothing else.'' Lavrov said Russia was not happy with the way a previous UN resolution on Kosovo had been implemented.

''We note that only the parts of resolution 1244 which suit Kosovo Albanians have been carried out,'' he said.

''Ninety percent of Kosovan Serbs, Gypsies and other minorities cannot return home,'' he added. ''Despite a massive presence of international forces and a U.N. office, safety has not been provided.'' REUTERS BDP PM1818